Don’t believe the cranks when they say today’s youth are Twittering their lives away. Plenty of young adults are applying themselves in a major way, making a real dent when it comes to helping others.? Take Maggie Doyne: the 22-year-old Jersey girl was recently celebrated at NYC’s Apollo Theater for building housing for orphans in Nepal – with her own life savings. She wasn’t alone. Four other heroes were recognized as well. Check the VH1 News clip above.

The Do Something organization has been helping volunteers realize their dreams of changing the world. Thursday night’s show celebrated a number of hard-working and creative activists, along with Usher, Akon, and other celebs.

When he?s not tending to his San Diego avocado farm, Jason Mraz continuously projects positive messages to his fans. Guess that year-long sabbatical he enjoyed a while back not only generated some great songs, but some rediscovery, enlightenment, and self-improvement vibes as well. Mr A ? Z seems to always be helping someone.

Already a contributor to MusiCares, the singer is now giving kids a chance to make a a joyous noise by donating a portion of his ticket sales from the upcoming ?Gratitude Caf? Tour? to VH1?s Save The Music Foundation, which benefits public school music programs.

Although the second leg of the ?Gratitude Caf? Tour? has not yet been announced, tickets for the initial set of shows are on sale now at gratitudecafetour.com. Save The Music?s core mission is to restore instrumental music education programs, ensuring that every child has access to a complete education that includes the benefits of music instruction, and Mraz is no stranger to the cause — he has already raised over $23,000 through ticket sales from his own most recent gigs! Check his Web site to see if he?s coming to a concert spot near you. By just checking out a show, you could help kids, too.? – Lacey Seidman

Every year VH1 tips the hat to rap’s musical, political, and cultural impact with Hip Hop Honors, and our 2009 show keeps that approach alive by saluting the incredible legacy of Def Jam records. It airs on VH1 on Tuesday, October 13, at 9 pm ET/PT.

VH1?s Hip Hop Honors 2009 is the first time that the show has honored a record label.? For 25 years, Def Jam created the stars that pushed hip hop culture forward, includingLL Cool J,Public Enemy, Kanye West, Slick Rick, Rick Ross and Rihanna.? The men behind the scenes are as legendary as its artists, including Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons, LA Reid and Jay Z.? The Def Jam brand didn’t just innovate in music, it also launched a breakthrough comedy show (Def Comedy Jam), a dynamic spoken-word showcase (Def Poetry Jam), and set trends in fashion, film and advertising.? Def Jam led a cultural movement that changed the world.

?It is impossible to pay tribute to the best in hip hop without recognizing Def Jam Records.? Throughout the years VH1 has honored numerous artists from the Def Jam label, but due to the magnificent impact that Def Jam as a company has made on not only hip hop culture but pop culture as a whole, we thought they definitely deserved the opportunity to be honored,? says Lee Rolontz, EVP of Music Production.

The show will take place in one of hip-hop’s original musical hot beds, New York’s famed borough of Brooklyn, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.? Stayed tuned to the VH1 blog as more updates about Hip Hop Honors 2009.

Hey, all. We’re premiering Jordin‘s new video for “Battlefield” this Sunday night, June 7 at midnight ET (yep, the start of Monday morning, 12 am). Check out the sneak above, see other videos by Ms. Sparks, and get psyched.

If you’ve spent any time in Memphis, you might know it’s a creative hotbed. The scraggly little city in western Tennessee boasts a rich history of blues and rock ‘n’ roll, has given us both Elvis and Justin, and offers lots of cheap rents to sustain the creative spark of modern indie rockers such as Lucero, Amy LaVere, and Two Way Radio. Those last three, plus several other Memphis-based artists, are at the center of $5 Cover, MTV’s ongoing Web series that explains how all the people and passion of a scene – could be Austin, could be Seattle – is interconnected. It’s rather addictive.

One of the reasons it is so addictive is Craig Brewer‘s direction. The guy behind Hustle & Flow (another Memphis tale), Brewer’s got a knack for telling the stories of striving musicians. As these characters interact through an ever-churning blend of career moves, clique dynamics, and sexual hook-ups, they share themselves completely. Black, white, young old – Brewer reveals alot about each of them in a short amount of time.

Check the latest Webisode above, and cut yourself some time. No doubt you’re going to want to absorb all the earlier parts of the story. As each new Webisode drops, we’ll slap it in here for you. The Hills ain’t the only show in town. Get ready for the steamy side of life on the Mississippi.

Call it “Brooke on the Beach.” The video for Ms Hogan’s “Fallin’” finds her daydreaming in the Miami sand – nice way to spend an afternoon.? Check the clip above and circle July 21 on your calendar. That’s the date Brooke’s dropping The Redemption. The must-see CD cover and list of tracks is after the jump.

Real fans don’t have to wait that long for their fix, however. The second season of Brooke Knows Best premieres on VH1 on Sunday, June 7 at 10 pm ET. This Sunday night, June 31, you can a full fix of Season One on VH1 starting at 6 pm ET. Tune in.

And be here Monday, June 1. That’s when we’re premiering Season Two’s first episode online.

There’s been lots of speculation about the superstar Idol runner-up, and Paul F. Tompkins doesn’t mess around – he just comes right out and asks. Does Lambert come clean? Check the clip now, and tune in tonight at 11 pm ET to watch the entire show. Mr. Kris Allen is also in the house tonight, so it’s Idol mania time. Just check how fangirl our Michelle Collins went when she connected with one of the guys yesterday. Read the interview.

Check Mikal Jollett, lead singer from The Airborne Toxic Event, telling VH1 News why his band dresses exclusively in black and white, and why he thinks there’s a whiff of Prozac in the air at indie rock shows. The group is one of our new You Oughta Know artists.